Practice English Listening Tests for B1 – Listening Test 32

8 C   9 B   10 A   11 A   12 B   13 B

Audioscripts

8   You will hear two friends talking about their school project.

Girl:   What do you think about the project we’re doing on space at school?

Boy:   It’s okay. What about you?

Girl:   It’s my favourite topic of the year so far!

Boy:   Why’s that?

Girl:   Well, one day I’d like to be part of a research team that helps send astronauts into space. Physics is such an amazing subject. I’m learning so much.

Boy:   I suppose so. I can see why you’re enjoying the project so much. I’ve watched a lot of films about space travel.

Girl:   Really? Most science fiction movies are hardly realistic, so the sort of stuff I watch is mostly documentaries.

Boy:   Oh, right.

9   You will hear two friends talking during a game of chess.

Girl:   I know you’ve only played chess once before, but you should know you can’t do that.

Boy:   Why not? I thought it was a good move.

Girl:   Yes, but you’re not allowed to move that piece like that. Only the one that looks like a horse can jump over other pieces.

Boy:   Really? It’s so complicated – but I suppose that’s what makes it interesting. I need a lot more practice though.

Girl:   I had trouble understanding everything at first too, but then Dad showed me this brilliant computer game which teaches you all about chess in a really entertaining way. You should try it.

10   You will hear two friends talking in a fast food restaurant.

Man:   I really love eating here. The food’s great – and it isn’t that expensive either.

Woman:   Well yeah, that’s true I suppose. This burger’s as delicious as it looks in the picture on the menu.

Man:   And it’s really good value, I think. Look at this huge pile of chips – fantastic!

Woman:   Yeah, but I thought my burger would be enormous. I mean compare that to the amount of chips you got.

Man:   Oh stop complaining, and have some of my chips. And anyway, at these prices you could always buy yourself another one.

Woman:   I suppose you’re right. Okay – give me some chips then.

11   You will hear two friends talking about their history homework.

Boy:   Have you done your history homework yet?

Girl:   No, not yet. I’ve had a look at it, but to be honest I’ve not even started it yet. I’m not sure I’ll get it done by the end of next week.

Boy:   You sound worried. I thought you really liked history! Why don’t we do it together in the library?

Girl:   I think I’ll manage on my own actually. The main writing exercise doesn’t seem very hard – it’ll be quite interesting too. It’s just that there are so many historical texts to read first, but if you need a hand, I’ll give you some advice.

12   You will hear a girl talking to a friend about becoming a member of a swimming team.

Boy:   I hear they’ve accepted you for the school swimming team. I knew you’d do it. Why didn’t you believe me?

Girl:   There were loads of good swimmers trying for it so I never thought they’d select me. I’ve got training at least three times a week. I’ve no idea how I’ll find time.

Boy:   What about school work?

Girl:   They said I’ll get extra help from my teachers if I need it, so it’ll be fine. But I wonder when I’ll get to see my friends at weekends if I’m always going to competitions. There are going to be so many this term.

13   You will hear two friends talking about a school trip to a river.

Girl:   Have you seen the details about the class trip next month? To a river, so we’ll learn more about them.

Boy:   Yes, we’ll have to get up at 5 o’clock if the coach goes at 6. You won’t like that!

Girl:   I don’t mind, if it means we’ll have as much time as possible at the river.

Boy:   We’d have even longer if we went to one that’s closer to school.

Girl:   But there aren’t any near here, and we want an adventure! Anyway, it’s only £10 to go.

Boy:   I suppose that’s not too much for a full day out. And food’s included!

20 B   21 C   22 B   23 A   24 C   25 A

Audioscripts

Man:   Jennifer, you’re only sixteen but have already taken part in several comedy shows. When did you first realise you were good at telling jokes?

Jennifer:   I’ve always tried to make people laugh. At home, though, I was never sure if everyone was laughing to keep me happy, or if my jokes were actually funny. This changed when I went to a big-name comedy show and chatted with one of the stars. I tried one of my jokes on him and he laughed, which gave me enough confidence to try performing in a school show.

Man:   How do you write your funniest jokes?

Jennifer:   Well, what seems to get the most laughs is when I take day-to-day things that have happened to me and change them a bit so they’re funnier. Any technique suggested by someone else, like seeing the news on TV and creating jokes based on that, has never worked well for me.

Man:   What do your classmates at school think about you being a comedian?

Jennifer:   A lot of them are creative, but because nobody else does comedy they’re pleased to have someone they know who’s got those skills. It’s good for the school and my classmates like telling their friends about me. They all say they expected me to do well, which I find surprising.

Man:   What do you find most difficult when you’re on stage?

Jennifer:   The hardest thing for any comedian is when an audience doesn’t find you funny – I’m sure that’ll happen to me one day. Once, I couldn’t remember which joke came next, so there was a long embarrassing silence. Someone said ‘Hurry up!’ really loudly, which made me think of a funny reply that made everyone laugh.

Man:   Who has helped you develop as a comedian most?

Jennifer:   My teachers have been fantastic in encouraging me. As they’re not comedians, though, it’s hard for them to help me improve. Seeing how the audience reacts tells me directly whether my material’s working or not, which has pushed me to do better more than anything else. I pick up ideas watching my favourite comedians in films too.

Man:   Do you want a career in comedy in the future?

Jennifer:   When I was younger, I used to dream of being a doctor – I liked the idea of helping people. Obviously comedy helps people – it’s good for us to laugh – but I think it would stop being fun if it was my job. I enjoy the shows to much to give them up totally, but I’d rather do something else.